The Big Idea Blog - Ideation

Broadcast Search: Dear Santa, I want a bluetooth enabled soft-tip dartboard...

nospam@example.com (David Duccini) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:25:32 -0500

Andrew McAfee's Enterprise 2.0: New Collaborative Tools for Your Organization's Toughest Challenges introduced me to the concept of a Broadcast Search. This is different than plain old search.

In broadcast search you put your question out to the world (or a subset of it) -- in hopes of having someone see/answer or connect you to the answer.

It's nothing new per se - Request for Comments/Quotes (RFC's and RFQ's have been around forever) -- it's just that collaborative tools enable it much easier than before. In most implementations it either uses a message-board type of model or micro-blogging.

I've recently become somewhat of a soft-tip dartboard junky -- I bought an Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 -- and as Arnold Palmer is oft quoted, "the more I practice, the luckier I get!"

The board comes from the same folks that make the Galaxy II that sit in many bars -- but at $3,500 I just don't see acquiring one anytime soon. The CP 800 is veritable bargain at about $250.

Surely there must be a middle option? The range between the "top of the bottom" at $250 and the top tier of $3,500 -- well, that just smells like opportunity to me!

At first I was thinking that Arachnid should have a $350-$550 priced board that puts a 4" touch lcd in the wall mount that runs the same games/os as the Galaxy II.

Make it IP enabled, add an option for a web-cam and you could play darts with anyone else in the world remotely!

Then it occurred to me. Don't make the board smarter -- move that all to the PC/MAC and make the board bluetooth enabled !! You skinny the board down to its true round shape, and then you have the PC handle the game play, the scoring and tournament play, web-cam and audio/mic enabled. This way the board gets cheaper and you sell software/upgrades -- annuity baby! And when I say "PC" I also mean your iPhone, Palm Pre, Android smartphone, or little netbook that sits idle most of the time.

Brilliant huh?

It doesn't exist as far as I know -- so I'm putting Web 2.0 to work. I'm broadcast searching for someone to get inspired to make us one!

Today's Big Idea: If something doesn't exist, invent it. To invent it faster, call it into existence using broadcast search.

It's a bit like being a magician when you think about it....invoke the words and watch it appear....

Who are you guys and what are you doing here distracting me? The Big Idea Blog is written by David Duccini & David Walbridge

links we use...TED/ ok go! ( creating a viral video)

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:53:35 -0500

Ok Go, but also TED and creativity

Notable: use of top ten list (ten commandments) + creativity+ collaboration+ sticky. Also " what did we learn?"

It reminds me of the same process in producing a theatrical show...posing the right questions - what do we want? / what do we have? And adding or subtracting elements throughout the process...

A little big idea. Learn how others create and imagine...

Naming things -- why "Naked Juice" is the perfect name...

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:53:01 -0500

As part of my freelance work I get to name things; products, services, companies, events, concepts and an occasional comedy troupe.

From a marketing success viewpoint, the right name is essential.

1. The name must be clear. As an example: www.procomedywriting.com What do you suppose they do? {The name should also be easy to spell and pronounce - no word of mouth if they can't say it. No SEO if they can't spell it.}

2. The name must be unique. No "Papsi" soda. Naming a juggling festival? I like MONDO.

3. Simple. Short. And it really helps if there is some benefit. "Apple" is unique, but no benefit. The Big Fun Show! makes a promise as to entertainment and size...

4. Ownable. Can you register it as a domain name? A service mark? A name does you no good if other people are using it. One of my creativity speeches is titled " One idea". But I can't get that URL, so I'm re-naming it before I present it.

Todays' big idea : claim your idea. Name it and own it.

PS Yes, we are available to discuss, present and consult on these ideas for your group or company. Give us a call.

Years ago, I picked this URL and registered it - not knowing that it was to become a blog. I though it might become my next company. Sometimes you jump then decide. See also, Improv.

The product Naked Juice is a line of organic, healthy juices. But I suspect you guessed that.

Who we are not (the Rules ver 0.0)

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:05:48 -0600

Google us -- You'll get several results:

We are not the Veggie Tales people - Be afriad.

We are not, nor do we know Donny Deutsch. Though I see he has a book out. Might have to look at that...

It was James Ernests idea to make the Big Idea into a board game. (Though I do own a copy.)

Parti pris

Big Idea: Know who you are. (And aren't)

Your million dollar idea

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:36:42 -0600

When people hear I am in the idea business, they often tell me their 'million dollar idea.' You know, the one that will make them a cool million.
I think its good to have huge, game-changing, new to the world ideas. But, one million dollar idea isn't enough. Your idea may be un-workable due to current technology or already in process by a major corporation or...well anything. Instead I recommend to them (and you) to have lots of big ideas. Have so many that you can't get to all of them, so many that you run out of space. Then you'll be forced to work on the ones that are most profitable, quickest or fun. (A good metric, by the way.)

TBI: Have a million-dollar idea. Everyday.

Notes on a Notebook

nospam@example.com (David Duccini) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:43:54 -0600

Toyota, famous for highly reliable cars and in management circles is lauded for their "Lean Production System" approach. It's taken the better part of a couple decades for American companies to figure out exactly what that means. Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but Toyota knew that no matter how many times people toured their operations, they just wouldn't "get it".

So what makes it so compelling?

First of all, it isn't any one thing. It's not:

1. Just in time production
2. Synchronized supply-chains (workflow) inside and outside of the factories
3. Elimination of waste -- overage/overhead and especially human effort
4. Empowered employees who can "pull the chain" if they see defects

It is that -- but its not simply in a set of instructions that they mindlessly follow -- or is it?

What makes Toyota so good at what it does is that it codifies its knowledge in a way that it can be readily understood and more importantly transferred to another person. Its almost like its in their DNA. And that is no accident.

Getting "lean" means not paying for the same knowledge twice.

To do this, they utilize a method known as the Knowledge Brief, or K-Brief (link to a presentation/overview).

The K-Brief is a single sheet of paper (A3 size in japan, similar to 11x17 or tabloid size) -- that captures in an appropriate level of detail a problem statement, what is known, and what is not known. Can't fit it all on a single sheet? You've likely got a problem that needs to be further broken down into additional K-Briefs.

The paper size is important (at least to Toyota, where its held with almost reverent devotion) - I have to admit when I was living in Japan I fell in love with an A4 sized graph-paper notebook system by Maruman that I used as both journal and notebook for ideation. The pages were loose-leaf with a 30-square hole punch that fit neatly into a split-comb semi translucent binder. See why I call it a "system" ? It was awesome. I stock up on it whenever I go back (and can find the stuff).

Lately I've been using a simple 'journal style' notebook that's the size of a trade paper back made by Mead (the Academie 6" x 9" Wirebound sketch diary) -- what I like about the size of this notebook is that "seems small" -- portable -- handy -- which means that it travels with me -- readily -- and that makes it available for ideation. It helps with the "yes, and" approach -- building on your own great ideas.

So, today's Big Idea is this: Find the right notebook to capture your big ideas in.

Size, color, weight, style does matter. Spend some time finding one. Browse the shelves of a Barnes&Noble or your favorite book store, artist supply shop, or online. It has to be quest! When you find one that calls to you buy a bunch of them in different colors/covers if possible. Your big ideas need their own spaces to grow in!

Not using RSS yet? Get the updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TheBigIdeaBlog

The other end of a cycle...when to stop working on a new idea

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:02:44 -0600

So, I've talked alot about creating new, fresh to the world ideas. Ways to create them, nurturing ideas, nurturing idea creators and building idea terrific spaces, (more on those later), but when is it it time to quit putting energy into a particular idea?

1. When someone else releases it. Especially if they are months (or years) ahead of you.
2. When you decide it won't actually work.
3. When you run the numbers and discover that while its a good idea, it simply won't actually make any money(*)
4. If a better idea presents itself.

These four should cover many situations. Add yours in the comments

Dave

Today's big idea: Sometimes, you should "New Coke" an idea.

* Remembering that making money is just one possible goal. There are many other, worthy reasons for creating, inventing, writing and making...

Give away your best ideas - Counter-point

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:36:44 -0600

Why is Craig's List free?

I have alot of ideas. Gobs of them. This week I'm working on game design, pitching a new script, writing a book, Mac tech support, blogging, learnning about doing stonework, magic, (mixing mortar and such) marketing & learning to cook a turkey. And beyond that, I am still writing down ideas, plots, jokes, designs, names, business models, workshop ideas, character descriptions, snippets, writing advice and texts of things to get to later. That's alot of ideas.

A metaphor, if you will: Imagine I have a roommate who work is a gourmet sandwich shop. At the end of the night he brings me home 5 tasty sandwiches, and I eat one and put 4 in the fridge. He does this every night. I get tasty, and free sandwiches every day...and more for lunch tomorrow. The problem with this situation is that, at the end of the week I have 15 sandwiches; the end of the month 60. More than I can ever eat.

Ideas to me are like sandwiches. I have lots of them. Each one is good but there are many, many more than I could ever use. So I give them away. (I keep a few for lunch, if you'll allow the mixed metaphor.) But the rest? I tell them to friends who can use them, post, share or develop.

Why not sell them?

1. No time. I lack the time to polish, pitch and market 20 'brand new to the world' ideas each week. (70% of my ideas make money, the other 30% are for fun, for me or to help.)

2. Altruism. It feels good to help. Some of my ideas have helped people, their careers, started important groups or just sparked a change.

3. Reputation. If you like my comedy routines this week, you will probably like them next week. And people want, (and pay for) consistency and quality. I post my stuff and let the customers judge its quality.

Seth Godin: "...free ideas spread faster than expensive ones."

4. Idea beget ideas. I've found that more ideas equals even more (and higher quality) ideas. This system means I end up with lots left over.

Today's big idea: give away your sandwiches.

Try letting an idea go...and see what happens.

more thinkers on this topic:
advice-give-away-your-ideas-take-a-load-off
Freelance free
Weird Al

Meta-thinking and a bloggers resource

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:03:36 -0600

I like BIG thinking. Philosophy, theories and meta - stuff so...
100 ideas for bloggers
There. A blog entry about creating blog entries. Works for both of us.

Today's Big idea: seek the meta. thinking. (And when in doubt, read what some others are writing.)

Try not to be right.

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:57:35 -0500

We all work to be right. To get the right answers, perfect the right campaign, the develop a flawless design.

Don't.

There are three problems with having the right answer. (Or being totally focused on getting to the right answer.)

1. When you reach the right answer, you stop. The process of discovery stops. This limits finding other correct answers - and perhaps finding better ones.

2. It creates a very linear process. Lets go from here to the answer, as directly as possible. Creativity requires a more relaxed state, a meandering and allowing for some dead-ends.

3. Perfection is hard. It takes a great deal of time and resources. And is often impossible. Yes, things can always be improved, but at some point, you have to release the software, mount the show or publish the book.

Today's big idea: Don't be right.

Spaghetti as a tool --- cheap creation, fast execution, tasty dinner

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:46:00 -0500

Cheap creation & fast execution.

You can't build a new car fast. Or cheaply. But many projects you can test early and easily. Logos, for instance. Jokes. Colors.
Recipes. Ring tones. Resumes. Dog names. Football plays.

I like to use the "throw spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks" technique. (And whatever 'sticks" we'll look at, re-evaluate and try.) **
In fact, I use this a lot. When offering new workshops, I think up 10 and usually four get filled. What is the cost of thinking up 10 classes and only getting paid for 4? Almost nothing -- Usually 1-2 hours of work for me. The students vote by registering -- and within a very short time frame, I know which offerings are popular and useful.

{Blogs are great for this. In fact, I use many of my social networks to test ideas -- I can often get feedback in hours or minutes on a new idea. Even at 2 am, someone I know is up.}

If you have a product that is quick to execute, why not create many variations and test them all? Feedback is quick, easy and useful.

Dave II

Today's big idea: Create lots of ideas, then test like crazy.

** Spaghetti is a pasta food product and when fully cooked will stick to a vertical surface. Be aware when writing or presenting, you may have a global, multi-cultural audience with different backgrounds and experience than yours.

Unfocus

nospam@example.com (David Duccini) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:30:00 -0500

Think of this as a "point-counterpoint" piece to the other Davids "focus." article

I think that what people need to be really creative are spaces -- like "comfort food" for the mind -- it's not just the taste, but the sight, the smell, the texture, and possibly the context of the surroundings. Perfect example? Your basic American Thanksgiving Day Dinner!

I actually find that I can really focus in the middle of a noisy coffee shop -- or when I'm working on software I need to have super high energy EuroTrash music pumping out like the stuff you find at Digitally Imported (it's a guilty pleasure I know) -- in other words find a physical as well as a mental space that supports you. (for some reason sitting in the confined space of an airplane seat I suddenly get the urge to write/ideate -- it's the "limited resources" principal at work -- and also akin to the old addage "to make good wine you have to stress the grape a little")

When I was in Japan I spent hundreds of hours in a coffee shop near my office that always had classic jazz playing in the background -- the constant hiss of the espresso machine, the din of the daily crowd coming and going, and the background noise of a foreign language provided a lot of brain candy. I look back now at the journals I kept and am amazed at the shear volume of ideas and designs I produced in that era!

Getting creative requires the same kind of time and attention to context -- which is why I agree with Dave that having a space both physically and mentally are critical to consistent inspiration. Stock it with the kind of tools and distractions you need to feed the muse.

So, Today's Other Big Idea is this: Being creative sometimes means not focusing but unfocusing

We're tweeting out at http://twitter.com/TheBigIdeaBlog

focus.

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:13:00 -0500

Part of the creative process is incubation. Then creation. And part of the creation of ideas requires long periods on introspection, writing down of ideas and silence. Alone time. Isolation. I call this 'long focus.'

Projects like books or play take lots of this - hours and days of the writer being along, isolated, uninterrupted.

Quiet time

Don't do it all while you are being creative Don't multi-task

Creative people need space and time to work uninterrupted

If you manage creatives or are partnered with one, this is useful to know. They are not being aloof or anti-social. They are being creative. Let them.

D II

Today's big idea: Ideas take time. And space. Think Long Focus.

How to Kill Creativity During Brainstorming: A Top Ten List

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:30:00 -0500

When I'm in idea creation sessions (ideation / brainstorming) with groups I frequently hear the same negativity over and over -- these non-helpful phrases that take the meeting off-track, take time away from problem solving (solutioning) and generally turn what should be collaborative into combative!

As we've blogged recently, in brainstorming there are rules that every participant should agree to and yet the nay-sayers somehow always infiltrate -- you know the one's -- they sit there, arms crossed, waiting to be a buzz-kill.

Therefore, I humbly submit to you:

Top ten phrases that kill brainstorming (and suck the very life-force out of you in the process):

10. We tried that.
9. But how will that make any money?
8. Someone's already done that.
7. No none has done that yet, so it must not be feasible.
6. We can't afford that.
5. Sounds hard.
4. I hate it / I don't get it (No one will buy that.)
3. This is a waste of time.
2. Its not in the manual/ SOP / lawyers will never approve it.
1. So?

What's the one you hear the most? Which ones did I miss? Add your thoughts in the comments.

Rules for improvisation

nospam@example.com (David Walbridge) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:58:31 -0500

So how do you generate ideas quickly? Is there some sort of rule set that will help you get more ideas, faster and better quality ideas? Yes. Although the answer is non-obvious -- There is an agreed on rule-set* that is used by comedy and improv troupes all over. These "rules for improvisation" have been developed and honed over 50 years and work quite well for generating instant theater; interesting and often comedic scenes at the drop of a hat. These can also be used for moving things forward -- other than scenes on a stage. The Other Dave has noted one of them in his last post ("Yes and..."). Here are a few more to consider:

Resources:

a. How Improv Teaches You to Build a Better Product

b. 5 Basic Improv Rules

c. Rules of Improv

(*You will note that these rules are not all the same. Interesting, no?)